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Agneesh Barua
I received my PhD from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). The main focus of my PhD was evolutionary genetics of complex traits. I used quantitative genetics, phylogenetic comparative methods, genomics, transcriptomics, and network approaches to understand the genetic basis of complex trait evolution.
Education
PhD
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Okinawa, Japan
2022 - 2017
- Currently I am research fellow working on the origin of extra-cellular RNA in snake venom.
Msc Genetics
University of Calcutta
Kolkata, India
2015 - 2013
- Thesis: Role of P16/CDKN2A in Glioma: A Molecular Study.
BSc(H) Zoology
University of Delhi
New Delhi, India
2013 - 2010
- Special undergraduate research: Antifungal activity of Phyto-extracts of Piper longum, Aloe vera, and Withania somnifera against human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans.
Research Experience
Rotation Student
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Okinawa, Japan
2017 - 2016
- Bio/Micro/Nano fuidcs Unit, Prof Amy Shen.
- Oncology-Cell signalling Unit, Prof. Tadashi Yamamoto.
- Project- Developing a microfluidic model to study cancer metastasis.
Research Intern
Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Okinawa, Japan
2016 - 2016
- Project- Characterising the evolutionary forces behind rapid evolution of snake venom genes.
Project Fellow
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS)
Bangalore, India
2015 - 2015
- Project-Using 2-D-Glucose (2-DG) as an adjuvant to supplement treatment by Temozolomide, in high grade glioma.
Project Assistant
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS)
Bangalore, India
2015 - 2014
- Project- Molecular genetics of the role of P16/CDKN2A in Glioma
Innovation Project Fellow
Delhi University and Jawarharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, India
2013 - 2012
- Project- Antifungal activity of Phyto-extracts of Piper longum, Aloe vera, and Withania somnifera against human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans.
Publications
Co-option of the same ancestral gene family gave rise to mammalian and reptilian toxins
Agneesh Barua, Ivan Koludarov, Alexander Mikheyev
N/A
2021
- BMC Biology
- https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-021-01191-1
- We show that one the most abundant proteins in saliva and venom are homologous and derived from a single ancestral gene.
An ancient, conserved gene regulatory network led to the rise of oral venom systems
Agneesh Barua & Alexander Mikheyev
N/A
2021
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2021311118
- The first study of its kind to reveal the conserved genetic framework behind oral venom evolution.
Toxin expression in snake venom evolves rapidly with constant shifts in evolutionary rates
Agneesh Barua & Alexander Mikheyev
N/A
2020
- Proceedings of the Royal Society B
- https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2020.0613
- Tests whether snake venom evolution had a role in species diversification in venomous snakes.
Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations
Agneesh Barua & Alexander Mikheyev
N/A
2019
- Molecular Biology and Evolution
- https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/36/9/1964/5492084
- First truly quantitative and comparative approach to understand the evolution of the snake venom phenotype.
Population genomic analysis of a pitviper reveals microevolutionary forces underlying venom chemistry
SD Aird, J Arora, A Barua, L Qiu, K Terada, AS Mikheyev
N/A
2017
- Genome Biology and Evolution
- https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/9/10/2640/4259791
- This paper shows that both drift and selection contribute to venom evolution in snakes, but their relative magnitudes are different.
Antifungal activity of phyto-extracts of Piper longum, Aloe vera, and Withania somnifera against human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans
H Kaur, RR Goyal, A Bhattacharya, R Gupta, A Barua, … T Prasad
N/A
2015
- DU Journal of Undergraduate Research and Innovation
- http://journals.du.ac.in/ugresearch/pdf/J9.pdf
- Publication from the Delhi University Innovation Project Scheme
Selected Press
El veneno de las serpientes y la saliva de los mamíferos comparte un origen común
National Geographic
N/A
2022
- Latest press on my BMC Biology paper.
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/naturaleza/veneno-serpientes-y-saliva-mamiferos-comparte-origen-comun_17711
Recommended article
Faculty Opinions
N/A
2021
- Experts in evolution and comparative genetics described my idea as a “novel and elegant alternative approach.”
- https://facultyopinions.com/prime/739835180?utm_medium=email&utm_source=prime_follow_faculty#eval793584962
Could humans ever be venomous?
Live Science (US)
N/A
2021
- Experts in the field described my study as- “A real landmark in the field.”
- https://www.livescience.com/could-humans-be-venomous.html
Venom glands evolved from salivary glands
The Print (India)
N/A
2021
- The Print is the most followed outlet for science news in India.
- https://theprint.in/science/scientists-find-first-direct-evidence-that-venom-glands-evolved-from-salivary-glands/631760/
Could humans be venomous?
Fun Kids Science Weekly
N/A
2021
- Interview in childrens radio show in the UK.
- https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/could-humans-be-venomous/id1247425397?i=1000522727073
Snake venom evolved in fits and spurts
PNAS Front Matter
N/A
2020
- Contains commentry from experts in the field. Paper described as “a rich source of hypotheses for future studies.”
- http://blog.pnas.org/2020/05/snake-venom-evolved-in-fits-and-spurts/
Venom and the mystery of evolution
Asahi Shimbun (Japan)
N/A
2020
- Special feature highlighting my journey as a PhD student who uses venom to solve the mysteris of evolution.
- Asahi Shimbun is the second largest circulating newspaper in the world.
- https://globe.asahi.com/article/13581404
Academic Talks
Gordon Conference on Venom Evolution , Function, and Biomedical Applications
How nature created the perfect chemical weapon
Vermont, USA
2022
Graduate Student Excellence Symposia (SMBE everywhere)
How nature created the perfect chemical weapon
Online
2022
Song Lab, Texas A&M University
How nature created the perfect chemical weapon
Texas, USA
2022
AsiaEvo conference (Online)
How nature created the perfect chemical weapon
Tokyo, Japan
2021
Oxford Venoms and Toxins Conference (Online)
Toxin expression in snake venom evolves rapidly with constant shifts in evolutionary rates
Oxford, England
2020
European Society for Evolutionary Biolgy
Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations
Turku, Finalnd
2019
Gordon Conference on Venom Evolution , Function, and Biomedical Applications
Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations
Vermont, USA
2018
OIST internal seminar series
Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations
Okinawa, Japan
2018
Awards
Graduate Student Excellence Award
Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE)
N/A
2022
- The SMBE Graduate Student Excellence award is the highest honour given to graduate students working in the field of molecular evolution. SMBE is the largest academic organisation for molecular evolution. https://www.smbe.org/smbe/AWARDS/SMBEGraduateStudentExcellenceAwards.aspx
Society membership
The American Society of Microbiology
N/A
2014 - 2013
- Won a society membership by placing 1st in an inter-department Power-Point presentation contest.
Best Essay
The Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Memorial Science Forum. Calcutta University.
N/A
2013
- Awarded 1st prize for best essay on entitled: Science and Society.
Innovation Project Fellow
Delhi University and Jawarharlal Nehru University
N/A
2012
- Awarded a 12 month fellowship that covered stipend.
Teaching
Mini-course on Phylogentic Comparative Methods
OIST
Okinawa, Japan
2020
- Gave a lecture on the importance and utility of phylogenetic comparative methods.
- Graduate level class.
Ryukyu University Invited Lecture
Ryukyu University
Okinawa, Japan
2020
- Was invited for a special lecture to 1st year undergrad students.
- Lecture was on the origin of life in the ocean.
- Undergraduate level class
Mini-course on quantitative genetics
OIST
Okinawa, Japan
2019 - 2017
- TA and lectured on the Animal Model in quantitative genetics, and mixed models.
- Graduate level class.
OIST Science Challenge
OIST
Okinawa, Japan
2019
- Gave a lecture on Phylogenetics and how gene trees can teach us about about the history of animals.
- Undergraduate level class.
Term course on Introduction to Molecular Biology
OIST
Okinawa, Japan
2018 - 2017
- TA and lectured on a course introducing key concepts in molecular biology meant for non-biologists.
- Undergraduate level class.
Professional Development
Academic Officer
OIST Student Council 2020
N/A
2021 - 2020
- Was elected academic officer of the OIST student assembly.
- Worked closely with different departments within the administration including Graduate School, Presidents Office, and Board of Governors/Councilors.
- Worked with graduate school to formulize Student’s Code of Conduct and Academic Course Streams.
Organizer/Committee member
TEDxOIST
N/A
2018 - 2017
- Organized the first TEDx event at my university in 2017 and 2018.
Conservation efforts
Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance
West Bengal, India
2011
- Was involved in conservation of the severly threatened Bengal fishing cat.
- Collected field samples, set up camera traps, and produced documentary of fishing can conservation
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utk9UJYJ3kM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGTF-w88BPw